Mechanical racing toy



Sept. 15,1925.

J. F. MUELLER MECHANICAL RACING TOY Filed Oct. 24, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVf/VTQE JAces F MeaLLER Sept. 15. 1925.

J. F, MOE LLER MECHANICAL RACING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m JAGOB F MommaFiled Oct. 24. 1923 ATTORNEY Patented Sept, 1925 i a UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

JACOB F. MonLLnn, or oINcINNArI, OHIO.

MECHANICAL RACING TOY.

Application filed October 24, 1923. Serial No. 670,576.

toy game, and more particularly to a device of this character having aplurality of racers adapted to be moved at variable rates of speed andwhich game is adapted to be participated in by one or more persons andto be operated by one person.

The objects of my invention are to provide a racing toy in whichminiature vehicle racers mounted upon racing ways may be started eithersimultaneously or promiscuously with uncertainty as to the result of therace whether the racers are started simultaneously or promiscuously;toprovide a racing toy in which the racers are adapted to be moved atvariable rates of speed noncontrollable by the person operating thegame; to provide a racing toy in which the game may be modified byemploying disqualifying means adjacent the beginning and ending of aracing way; to provide means whereby any one of the racers is adapted toincrease its speed relative to the other racers and to pass other racerseven though it was last to start in the race; to provide means adaptedto impart tothe several racers different continuous variable rates ofspeed to provide means whereby the results of races in conjunction witha scale of points and disqualifying lines are made into games; toprovide means whereby the simultaneous n'iovements of the racers inconjunction with a scale of points are made into gan'ie's; to providemeans whereby the players chances of winning the games are equal with orwithout previous knowledge of the device, and to provide a simple,interesting and amusing game which may be participated in by one or morepersons.

My invention consists in providing a frame having a plurality of racingways with a longitudinal slot adj acenteach racing way and transverseslots extending from each longitudinal slot near the respective ends ofthe racing ways; in providing a pair of rotatable drums'mounted beneaththe racing ways adjacent the respective ends of the frame, each drumhaving a plurality of similar sets of circumferential grooves therein,each groove in each set having a diiterent depth from the other groovesin said set and the grooves in each set arranged similar to the grooves1n the other sets; in

providing a plurality of sets of similarly constructed and arrangedendless cords or belts having spacedapart obstructions or enlargementsthereon, each set of which separately imparts a continuous varlable rateof speed to a racing vehicle due to variable rates of motionbeingimparted to said belts positioned within said grooves; in providing apluralityof racing vehicles each having a slotted actuating memberadapted to pro ject through the respective slots in said racing wayswhereby the fingers on the actuating members lit over a plurality ofsaid cords or belts having spaced apart enlargements or obstructions andto engage the latter whereby said racers are moved at-vari able rates ofspeed. I

My invention also consists in the construction, combination andarrangement of parts as herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawings: i

Fig.1 is a plan view ofmy racing toy;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an inverted view in perspective of a. bridge or impedimentover which a racer may travel;

. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are rear elevational views of racers showingdifierently constructed actuating members;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 withone of the racers in position and the fulcrum removed;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View partly broken away and showing two of thebridges in position;

Fig. racers;

Fig. 10 is an inverted perspective view of the rake for arranging themechanism of my toy for starting the racers simultaneously; and s Fig.11 is a perspective view of one of the braces- In the embodiment of myinvention as illustrated and which shows a. preferred-construction Iprovide a frame comprising top 1, sides '2 and 3, ends at and 5 andbottom 6.

is'a perspective view of one'of the The top is provided withlongitudinal racing ways 7 and with a longitudinal slot 8 ad acent eachracing way. Transverse slots 9 and 10 leading from each longitudinalslot 8 are formed near each end of the respective racing ways. A stop 11is mounted on the under side of the top near end 5. Braces 12 (F ig. 11)are preferably mounted transversely of the racing ways intermediate ofthe ends 4 and to firmly support said racing ways.

Drums 13 and 14 are journaled at 15 in sides 2 and 3 near the respectiveends 4: and 5, and drum 13 is provided with crank 16 by which it isrotated. Each drum is provided with a plurality of sets of grooves 17,18 and 19, the grooves of each set being duplicates of those of theother sets and each groove of each set differing in depth from each ofthe other grooves of the set i to cause each cord or belt of a set totravel at a different rate of speed from the other cords or beltsthereof. A plurality of endless cords, bands or belts 20, 21 and 22 eachhaving knots, enlargements or obstructions 23 thereon in spaced apartrelation from each other in uniform sequence, are mounted and stretchedon said drums, respectively, in such a manner that each cord is guidedand adapted to travel in corresponding grooves in the respective drums.Drum 14: is rotated by belts 20, 21 and 22.

The racers 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 are ositioned upon the respectiveracing ways g and may be in the form of automobiles, horses or otherobjects as desired. Each racer is provided with an actuating member 30supported in fixed relation therewith below the racing way by arm 31attached to the racer. Actuating member 30 comprises a plurality offingers 32 spaced apart from each other by slots 33 which are ofsufiicient width to freely receive the respective cords or bands 20 butwhich are sufficiently narrow to prevent the passage therethrough ofsaid enlargements 0r obstructions 23. The racers are positioned upon theracing way 7 for racing by projecting the actuating members verticallydownward through slots 8 and 9, each cord entering a slot 33 and theobstructions are adapted to engag and actuate the adjacent fingers 32.The race is won by the vehicle which is first to reach stop or goal 11.At the finish of each race the racers are removed from the slots 8 and10, respectively, and then inserted in the slots 8 and 9, respectively,ready for the next race and so on. t

The racers are interchangeable and may be placed upon any of the racingways 7 for beginning movement at transverse slot 9, the engagement ofthe fingers 32 with enlargements 23 forcing the respective racers overthe racing ways 7 to stop 11 when the cords or belts are actuated byrotation of crank 16 imparting rotary movement to drum 13 with which thebelts or cords are in engagement.

hen drum 13 is rotated each set of endless cords or belts 20, 21 and 22imparts continuous variable rates of speed to the respective racerscaused by each belt in a set having variable rates of motion produced bythe enlargements on said belts contacting with and leaving contact withthe rear side and front side of said actuating member 30. Each belt in aset has a different rate of motion than other belts in the same setcaused by circumferential grooves 17, 18 and 19 in the drums, in whichthe belts are positioned, having diiferent depth. Inasmuch as theenlargements fixed on the belts are greater in diameter than the widthof slots. 33 of the propelling members, frequently the enlargements ofdifferent belts in the same set simultaneously engage the propellingmember on its front and rear sides, thereby exerting-pressure inopposite directions on the propelling member, whereby, the belts arecaused to slip in the circumferential grooves in the drum in which theyare positioned. The slipping operation of the belts is, therefore, thedirect cause that imparts variable rates of speed J to the belts,thereby resulting in uncertainty as to the time required for a givenracer to travel a given space on the racing way. Inasmuch as the beltsin each set of belts have variable rates of motion impartedindependently of the other sets of belts, considerable uncertaintyexists in determining which of the several racers starting at a givenpoint shall first arrive at a given point.

For the purpose of further rendering the game complex and increasing theuncertainty as to which racer shall travel over a given space in theshortest length of time, if desired, actuating members 30 may beconstructed in modified forms as shown for illustrative purposes inFigs. 4, 5 and (3.

The actuating member 30 as shown in Fig. 1 has three slots 33 adapted toreceive belts 20, 21 and 22, respectively; in Fig. 5 two slots 33 areshown adapted to receive belts 20 and 21, respectively; in Fig. 6 twoslots 33 are shown adapted to receive belts 21 and 22, respectively,whereby the knots 23 are adapted to force the racers shown in F 4, 5 and6 to travel over the racing ways at rates of speed varying with oneanother, as for instance, by having the slots in the actuating membersarranged in different combinations, as well as, having different numbersof slots adapted to receive the belts, respectively, in different sets.

An adjusting rake 34 is fixed to handle 35 and is provided with slottedteeth 36 adapted to embrace cord 20 and engage the obstructions 23 whenhandle 35 is pressed downwardly upon its fulcrum 3'7 and pulledoutwardly thereby bringing said obstructions into transverse alinement.The rake is caused to assume its normal inoperative position as shown byFig. 2 by simply race.

pushing it inwardly, to the position shown in Fig. 2 thereby disengagingenlargements 23 and permitting the racers to start evenly.

The racers or other articles may be placed in compartment 38 which isprovided with door 39 hinged on one side at 40 and adapted to be securedby lock or other fastening at 41. Rubber or cloth covered feet 42 arepreferably attached to the bottom 6 to prevent the frame from scratchingor marring furniture or other surfaces upon which it may be placed.

Scales 43 and 44 may be provided upon the top near the respective endsto represent starting and stopping points and to clearly indicate therelative positions of the respective racers at the beginning and end ofa Bridges 45 having lugs 46 adapted to enter holes 47 may be mountedyonpart of the racing ways as shown in Fig. 8 to serve as a handicap orhazard for the racers of such racing ways.

The operation of my mechanismis as follows:

Revolving crank 16 rotates drum 13 thereby imparting varied rates ofmotion to belts .20, 21 and 22 carrying fixed enlargements 23 andrespectively engaging grooves 17, 18 and 19 in drums 13 and 14. Thegrooves 17, 18 and 19 each have a different depth, where by variedvelocities and an infinite number of positions are imparted toenlargements 23 relative to one another. Varied rates of motion areimparted to the racers as by en-f largements 23 contacting with andleaving a faster rateof motion imparted to it than has belt 20 inengagement with groove 17. For illustrative purposes, assume thatenlargements 23 on belts 20,21 and 22 are in transverse alinement and inengagement with the rear side of actuating members 30. When crank 16'isrevolved, motion is imparted to belt-s 20, 21 and 22, but a faster rateof motion is imparted to theenlargements fixed to belt 22,.wherebyactuating member 30 is forced forward in advance of the enlargementsonbelts 20 and 21 by contact of the engaging enlargements on belt 22,thereby causing the enlargements on belts 20 and 21 to disengage theactuating member. Continued revolving of crank 16 causes the actuatingmember to overtake the enlargement on belt 20 preceding the oneoriginally in" engagement with the rear sideof the actuating member,whereby slow moving belt '20' the like.

and taken out of the race.

exerted by the enlargement on belt 22, thereby causing belts 20 and 22to slip on drums l3 and 14. Usually an enlargement on freely moving belt21 engages the rear side of the actuating member and assists in forcing"it forward to stop 11 at a variable rate of motion, dependent upon thetension of belts 20, 21 and 22. Thus varied combinations of positions ofenlargements 23 on belts 20, 21 and 22 result in considerable difierencein the length of time required for a given racer to travel from thebeginning of the racing field to stop 11.

The surface of my toy may be unevenand the racers may be represented byvarious objects, such as balloons, birds, animals Any number of beltsand racing ways maybe substituted.

A modification and variation in mygame consists in providing a startingpoint for the racers at each end of the racing way and in extending theactuating members of one set of racers downward to the lower portion ofthe belts, thereby causing the racers to move from each end of theracing way in opposite directions and toward the centerof the racingway. I have, therefore, invented a simple, efficient, economical andhighly. interesting game which for amusement p-urposes'may be operatedby one person and participated in by numerous others.

Various games may be played with this racing toy in accordancewith thefollowing rules which are given by way of illustration:

Game 1 is played by two or more players The first each of whom selects aracer.

player places the racer in position on any track desired. The secondplayer places a' racer on any remaining track desired. After all playershave placed their racers, the first player turns crank 16 to the right.Should any racer touch disqualifying line bearing the number of theracer before the last racer starts, such racer is pushed back The firstplayer continues to turn the crank. The racer first crossing line 30(Fig. 1) is the winner. The racers are removed by sliding to the end ofthe longitudinal slots through branch slot 10. The winner ofthe raceturns the crank in the next race. The winnerhas the privilege of givingthe crank a few turns before any racers are placed.

I-Ie also has the privilege of making the racers start together orunevenly; If he wishes them to start together he must, before any racersare placed, press down and pull out handle 35 completely, then pull upand push incompletely and give crank 16 one] complete turn to the right.If he wishes the racers to start unevenly he can press down and pull outhandle 35 part way, then push up and return or disregard it entirely.The

and lifting out in the next.

Game 2 is played like game 1 except the players select the racers bychance from sets of racers.

Game 8 is played like games 1 or 2 except that a bridge is placed on oneor more of the racing ways or tracks before the race is started.

Game 4 is played the same as games 1, 2or 3 except that the winner dropsout in each race, the final player losing the game, or the loser dropsout each time, the final player winning the game.

Various modifications of the foregoing games may be made.

It is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the inventionto the one form of embodiment herein disclosed because it is susceptibleof embodiments of 1. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having aplurality of racing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent eachracing way with a'tr'ansverse slo't leading from each longitudinal slotnear each end thereof, a pair of drums each having circumferential cordreceiving grooves. of varying depth arranged in sets, endless cordsmounted in corresponding grooves of said drums, knots or enlargements inspaced apart relation on said cords, racers mounted on said racing waysand having arms pro jecting through said slots, respectively, fingers onsaid arms adapted to be engaged by said knots or enlargements whereby,when said drums are rotated, saidknots or enlargements will move saidfingers forward and cause said racers to travel at varying rates ofspeed, and means for rotating said drums.-

2. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way witha transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each endthereof in the adjacent racing way, a pair of drums each havingcorresponding and cooperating circumferential cord receiving grooves ofvarying depths, endless cords mounted in the corresponding grooves ofsaid drums and each cord having thereon knots or enlargements in spacedapart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and having armsprojecting through said slots, respectively, fingers on said armsadapted to be engaged by said knots or enlargements whereby,'when saiddrums 'are rotated, said knots or enlargements will move said fingersforward and cause said racers to travel at varying ratesof speed, andmeans to rotate said drums.

3. A inechanical'racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way witha transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each endthereof, impeding detachable bridges mounted on part of said racingways, a pair of drums each having circumferential cord receiving groovesof varying depths arranged in similar sets, endless cords mounted incorresponding grooves of said drums, knots or enlargements in spacedapart relation on said cords, racers mounted on said racing ways andhaving arms projecting through said slots respectively, fingers on saidarms adapted to beengaged by said knots or enlargements whereby whensaid drums are rotated, said knotsor enlargements "will move saidfingers forward and cause said racers to travel at varying rates ofspeed, and means for rotating said drums.

l. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing ways with holes therethrongh adjacent their forward ends andhaving a longitudinal slotadjacent each racing way with a. transverseslot leading from each longitudinal slot near each end thereof,- curvedimpeding bridges each having lugs adapted to engage said holes, a pairof drums each having circumferential cord receiving grooves of varyingdepths arranged in similar sets, endless cords mounted in correspondinggrooves of said drums, knots or enlargements in spaced apart relation onsaid cords, racers mounted on said racing ways and having armsprojecting through said slots, respectively, fingers on said armsadapted to be engaged by said knot-s or enlargements whereby, when saiddrums are rotated, said knots or enlargements will move said fingersforward and cause said racers to travel at various rates of speed andmeans for rotating said drums.

5;. In a device of the character described, a frame, drums mountedtherein, knotted cords mounted on said drums and an adjusting rakehaving slotted teeth adapted to engage knots or enlargements on theadjacentcords whereby said knots or enlarge ments, will, when said rakeis pulled to the forward end of said frame, bring said knots orenlargements into transverse alinement, substantially as set forth andfor the purposes specified.

6. In a mechanical racing toy, a frame havin a plurality of racing waysthereon and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way with atransverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each endthereof, a scale of points extending transversely across said racingways near each end thereof, a drum mounted under said racing ways neareach end thereof and having circui'nferential grooves of varying depthstherein, endless cords mounted in said grooves and each cord havingknots or enlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mountedon said racing ways,

respectively, and having arms extending through said slots and providedwith actuating fingers adapted to be engaged and moved by said knots orenlargements, respectively, when said drums-are rotated, substantiallyas set forth and for the purposes speci thereof, .a drum mounted beneathsaid racing ways near eachend thereof and each having correspondingcircumferential grooves therein of varying depths arranged in sets,endless cords mounted in corresponding grooves in said drums,respectively, said cords each having knots or enlargements thereon inspaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways and adapted tohave operative engagement with said knots or enlargements, respectively,whereby said racers will be caused to travel at uncertain and varyingrates of speed.

8; A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing ways and having a longitudinalslot adjacent each racing way witha transverse slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each endthereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereofand each having corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varyingdepths arranged in sets, endless cords ,mountedin corresponding groovesin said drums, respectively, said cords each having knot-s orenlargements thereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on saidracing waysand adapted to have operative engagement with said knots orenlargements, respectively, whereby said racers will be caused to travelat uncertain and varying rates of speed, and a compartment in the bottomthereof and having a door adapted to be secured in locked position,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way witha transverse slot leading from. each longitudinal slot near each endthereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereofand each hav-" ing corresponding circumferential grooves therein ofvarying depth arranged in sets, endless cords mounted, in correspondinggrooves in said drums, respectively, said cords each having enlargementsthereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing ways andadapted to have opera: tive engagement with said enlargements,respectively, whereby said racers will be caused to travel at uncertainand varying rates of speed, and transverse braces mounted beneath therespective racing ways intermediate of the ends thereof.

10. A mechanical racing toy comprising a frame having a plurality ofracing Ways and having a longitudinal slot adjacent each racing way witha transverse'slot leading from each longitudinal slot near each endthereof, a drum mounted beneath said racing ways near each end thereofand each having corresponding circumferential grooves therein of varyingdepth arranged in sets, endless cords mounted in correspondinggrooves'in said drums, respectively, said cords each having enlargementsthereon in spaced apart relation, racers mounted on said racing waysand" adapted to have operative engagement with said enlargements,respectively, whereby said races will be caused to travel at uncertainand varying rates of speed, and a transverse stop beneath said racingways near one end thereof.

11. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots therein and having a transverse slot leading intoeach, of said longitudinal slots near each end thereof, apair of drums'rotatably mounted at the ends of said racing ways and having a.plurality of circumferential grooves of varying depth therein, anendless belt positioned in corresponding grooves of said drums, spacedapart enlargements fixed to said belt and a vehicle adapted to move oversaid racing way at variable rates of motion when said drums are ,ro-

tated.

12. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots therein, racing vehicles mounted on said racingway, endless bands positioned beneath said racing way, spaced apartknots fixed to said endless bands, and means for carrying said bands forpropelling said racing vehicles over said racing way.

13. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having alongitudinal slot therein, a racing vehicle, a propelling member fixedto said racing vehicle and adapted to extend downwardly through saidlongitudinal slot, an endless band, knots fixed in spaced apart relationon said endless band andmeans for carrying said endless band I wherebysaid racing vehicle'is adapted to be 1 forced over said racing way.

14. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots therein, a pair of drums rotatably mounted at theends of said racing way and 1 provided with a plurality of circumferen-1 tial grooves arranged in duplicate sets, each groove in a set havingdifferent depth from other grooves in the sameset, a plurality ofendless belts positioned, respectively, within said grooVflS, pacedapart knots fixed to said belts, vehicles on said racing way,pro-plurality of circumferential grooves therein pelling members fixedto each of said vehicles, respectively, and adapted to extend downwardlythrough said longitudinal slot-s, fingers integral with each propellingmemher and adapted to be engaged by said knots when said drums rotatewhereby said vehicles are adapted to be forced over said racing ways atvariable rates of speed.

15. A mechanical racing'toy comprising a racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots, a rotatable drum secured transversely of saidracing way and having a circumferential groove therein, an endless cablepositioned within said groove, knots fixed to said cable in spaced apartrelation, a vehicle, and a slotted member secured to said vehicle andadapted to be contacted by said knots, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

16. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots therein, a rotatable drum secured transversely ateach end of said racing way and having a plurality of circumferentialgrooves therein and arranged in similar sets, each groove in a set beingof different depth, endless cables positioned in said grooves, spacedapart enlargements fixed to said cables, a vehicle, and a slotted membersecured to said vehicle and adapted to be received by said longitudinalslots whereby said vehicle is positioned on said racing way and adaptedto move at variable rates of speed when said drums rotate, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

17. In a mechanical racing toy, a racing way havinga plurality oflongitudinal slots therein, a vehicle adapted to be positioned adjacenteach of said longitudinal slots, a slotted member fixed to each of saidvehicles, a plurality of cables, spaced apart knots fixed to said cablesand means whereby said enlargements impart various rates of speed tosaid vehicles.

18. Ina mechanical racing toy, a racing way, a racer, an endless cable,spaced apart knots fixed to said cable and means whereby said knotsimpart motion to said racer.

19. In a mechanical racing toy, a racing way, a vehicle adapted to bepositioned on said racing way, a plurality of cords or cables, spacedapart enlargements fixed on said cords or cables, and means whereby saidenlargements impart variable rates of speed to said vehicle,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

20; A mechanical racing toy comprising a. racing way having a pluralityof longitudinal slots therein and having a plurality of transverse slotsadjacent each end thereof and leading into said longitudinal slots,

a rotatable drum. secured transversely at each end of :said racing wayand having a and arranged in similar sets, each groove in a set having adiii'erent depth, endless cables positioned in said grooves, spacedapart enlargements fixed to said cables, a vehicle, a member secured tosaid vehicle and having vertical slots therein adapted to fit over a setof said cables and means for arranging said racing vehicle insubstantially a stright line transversely of said racing way comprisinga plate extending transversely of said racing way and having upwardlyextending teeth integral therewith and having slots therein adapted tofit over said belts, a U-shaped handle fixed to said plate and slida-blyreceived beneath said racing way, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

21. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way consisting of twoends, one of said ends having holes therein,two sides, a top and abottom suitably secured together, said top comprising a racing wayhaving a plurality of longitudinal slots therein, a rotatable drumsecured transversely at each end of said racing way and having aplurality of circumferential grooves therein and arranged in similarsets, endless cables positioned in said grooves and having spaced apartenlargements fixed to said cables, a plurality of vehicles, a slottedmember secured to each of said vehicles and adapted to extend downwardlythrough one of said longitudinal slots and means for arranging saidrace-rs in substantially a straight line transversely of said racingways comprising a longitudinal plate extending transversely of andbeneath saidracing way and having upwardly extending teeth integraltherewith having slots therein adapted to fit over said "belts, aUshaped handle fixed to said plate and slidably received by said holesin said end and means for rotating'said drum whereby said vehicles areforced over said racing way at variable rates of motion.

22. A mechanical racing toy comprising a racing way provided with aplurality of parallel longitudinal slots, a rotatable drum connectedtransversely at each end of said racing way and having circumferentialgrooves therein, endless bands positioned within said grooves and intension around said drums, knots fixed to said belts in spaced apartrelation, a vehicle, a slotted actuating member fixed to said vehicleand adapted to project downwardly through one of said slots whereby saidknots are adapted to contact said slotted actuating member on saidvehicle at uncertain intervals tending to move said vehicle over saidracing way at variable rates of speed when said drums are rotated. p

23, A mechanical racing toy comprising a plurality of racing waysprovided with a plurality of longitudinal slots and a plu-,v

rality of transverse slots, a drum rotatably connected'transversely ateach end of said racing way and having a plurality of sets ofcircumferential grooves therein, endless belts positioned within similarsets of said grooves of different depth, obstacles fixed to said belts,a plurality of vehicles, a slotted actuating member fixed to each ofsaid vehicles and extending downwardly through said slots, saidobstacles adapted to contact 10 said slotted members whereby said racingvehicles are moved over said racing way at variable rates of speed.

JACOB F. MOELLER.

